Update of the 2009 Italian Pediatric Society Guidelines about management of fever
in children.

Abstract

BACKGROUNDIn 2009, the Italian Pediatric Society developed national guidelines for management
of fever in children for health care providers and parents/caregivers; an update of
these guidelines was scheduled after 2 years.OBJECTIVEThis article summarizes the update of Italian guidelines on managing fever in children,
focusing specifically on measuring body temperature and using antipyretic agents.METHODSRelevant publications in English and Italian were identified through searches of MEDLINE
and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from January 1, 2008, to May 1, 2012.
On the basis of consensus of a multidisciplinary expert panel, evidence levels and
strength of recommendations were reviewed.RESULTSAxillary temperature measurement using a digital thermometer is recommended in children
younger than 4 weeks. In the hospital or ambulatory care setting, axillary temperature
measurement using a digital or infrared thermometer (tympanic or skin contact or nocontact)
is recommended in children older than 4 weeks. Paracetamol and ibuprofen are the only
antipyretic drugs recommended for use in children; however, combined or alternating
use of these agents is not recommended.CONCLUSIONSRecent scientific evidence mainly supports previous recommendations. The aim of the
present article was to support pediatric knowledge and stimulate application of guidelines
in daily clinical practice.